ABSTRACT
The problems parents who are in prison face in maintaining meaningful and constructive relationships with their children and other family members have been largely ignored by social service agencies and organizations. Parents in Prison represent an important new program direction in the area of family support services. A variety of family and parental topics are addressed and discussed during this two-hour event. Four major components make up the program of teach parenting skills: home study courses, structured classroom courses, a monthly special event/rap session, and special projects. Known as "Parenting in Prison," this program has developed into an innovative and unique approach for strengthening families and developing parental skills and commitments during a father's imprisonment. Several indicators point to the fact that Parents in Prison is a successful program and that it has implications of national importance. Parents in Prison are an inmate organization officially sanctioned by the Tennessee Department of Correction.
